Low Calorie Snack and Wine Pairing

A fruit tray is a healthy and low-calorie option to pair with wine.

Food and wine pairings often seem to involve a high-calorie count and fat percentage that, as delicious as these snacks are, can make it tricky to follow a healthy eating plan or diet. Finding ways to lower the calorie and fat content of these high-calorie and high-fat foods is one way of enjoying food and wine pairings as part of a healthy, balanced plan.

Low-Calorie and Low-Fat Alternatives

If you are purchasing premade or heat-and-serve snack options to pair with wines, low-calorie or low-fat alternatives are often available. Check the nutrition label to see the number of calories per serving, taking note of the serving size. Certain foods can seem like they are low in calories and fat, until you realize that the serving size is much smaller than what you normally would consume. In particular, many popular snacks such as potato chips or heat-and-serve snacks have baked rather than fried alternatives, which significantly reduces the amount of fat per serving.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are excellent snack choices to pair with wine, and they are naturally low in calories as well as nutritious and high in fiber. Traditional wine pairings often include fresh fruits and vegetables, so this is a simple, classic and easy-to-create low-calorie snack alternative. Choosing a variety of more “exotic” fruits such as star fruit, kiwi or fresh figs can make a simple fruit platter seem much more appealing. Similarly, for serving a fresh vegetable crudités platter, cut your vegetables into interesting shapes, or use miniature vegetables such as mini-peppers and baby carrots to add extra charm to your vegetable platter’s presentation.

Low Fat Substitutes

If you make your own snacks to pair with wine, reduce the amount of fat and sodium used to create lower-calorie alternatives. Choosing lower-calorie or reduced-fat ingredients can significantly lower the number of calories per serving. For example, choosing low-fat sour cream or using low-fat cottage cheese in place of full-fat sour cream for a homemade spinach dip can cut out extra unnecessary calories without needing a new recipe. Another option is choosing to serve or eat snacks that are baked, grilled, steamed, boiled or raw rather than deep-fried or panfried to cut down on added fat. In snacks made with low-fat substitutes, add in extra dried herbs such as garlic powder or thyme to boost flavor without boosting the calorie or fat content.

Pairing With Wine

Low-fat snack alternatives can be paired with wine in the same way as their higher-fat and higher-calorie cousins. If you are using a seasonal fruit and vegetable platter, stick with dry, white wines, especially if you are serving a creamy low-fat dip. The acidity of the white wine will cut the thickness of the dip, and the crispness of the vegetables and fruit will be a refreshing accompaniment. For red wine pairings, small hors d'oeuvres or stronger-tasting snacks pair well. For example, you could pair miniature, open-faced roast beef sandwiches with dijon mustard with a strong red wine. Pair lighter red wines with foods similar to those of white wine for a more exotic combination.

About the Author

Isabelle Hannigan has been a professional writer since 2004, with articles appearing in nationally distributed newspapers such as "The National Post." She is a registered dietitian and sports nutritionist, and has worked for the University of Guelph and Athlete's World. Hannigan holds a B.S. in biochemistry from McMaster University and an M.S. in nutritional sciences from the University of Guelph.